Author summary In today’s world, many digital technologies are being created to help people manage their health. However, these technologies are often unused because they do not always meet the needs of the people that require most support. One reason for this is that individuals who struggle with digital technology are often left out of the research process, because it takes researchers a lot of time and effort, and researchers perceive it as complex to engage these groups. Underrepresentation, of people having difficulties accessing and using digital health technologies, can lead to a mismatch between what is developed and what is actually useful. In our study, we explored how researchers can better include these individuals by speaking with experts who manage long-term research panels and researchers who work with vulnerable groups. We found that successful inclusion and retention depends on using a variety of outreach methods, building long-term relationships with participants, simplifying the consent process, and handling practical issues with care. By making research more inclusive and responsive to people’s real needs, we can create digital technologies that are more effective and widely used.
Introduction
The development of digital health technologies opens up numerous opportunities for enhancing healthcare, for example by expanding outreach and accessibility to underserved populations [1,2]. Digital health can help bridge disparities by … [32446 chars]
Source: PLOS (Public Library of Science) | Published: 2025-10-09T00:00:00Z
Credit: PLOS (Public Library of Science)
